> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sbtinstruments.com/more/how-to-guides/test-your-dilution-liquid.md).

# Test your dilution liquid

Check that your dilution liquid adds nothing to your count.

If you do not use SBT ready-made dilution vials, you must test that your dilution liquid adds nothing to your count. Test once a day, before your first sample.

The test covers the liquid, the dispenser, the syringe filter and the vial, so it catches a problem in any of them.

## Which dilution liquid do you use?

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Ready-made dilution vials</strong></td><td>DR01. No test needed.</td><td><a href="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FC67HjC1DzhMbfDGMhZtG%2FDR01.jpg?alt=media">DR01.jpg</a></td><td><a href="/item-register/consumables/dilution-liquid-ready-made-vials.md">Dilution liquid: ready-made vials</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Bulk dilution liquid</strong></td><td>DB01 with the dilution dispenser. Test once a day, after you replace the syringe filter.</td><td><a href="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FAuplUq124J39alqIZ6LK%2Fdilution-dispenser--mounted-on-5l-bottle.png?alt=media">dilution-dispenser--mounted-on-5l-bottle.png</a></td><td><a href="/item-register/consumables/dilution-liquid-bulk.md">Dilution liquid: bulk</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Your own dilution liquid</strong></td><td>Not recommended. Test once a day.</td><td><a href="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FxQWBIR2ExU5eGigIZCTV%2Fown-dilution-liquid.jpg?alt=media">own-dilution-liquid.jpg</a></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**We do not support your own dilution liquid**

If your own liquid fails the test, we cannot help you find the cause, unless we have set it up with you as a custom solution. [Contact us](https://sbtinstruments.com/contact) to talk about a custom solution.
{% endhint %}

## How to test

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Fill a vial

Fill an [empty vial](/item-register/individual-items/empty-vial.md) with 10 mL of your dilution liquid. For bulk dilution liquid, [use the dilution dispenser](/item-register/accessories/dilution-dispenser/using-the-dilution-dispenser/fill-your-dilution-vials.md).

<figure><img src="https://4216107837-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeYTtd7c0A325muFr5lMW%2Fuploads%2FeAkDcQNARkPsr6ZoynAW%2Fdilution-dispenser--dispense-into-vial.jpeg?alt=media" alt="Filling an empty vial with the dilution dispenser." width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Measure it

Measure the vial the same way you [measure a sample](/everyday-use/run-a-sample.md), with nothing added to it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Read the result

The liquid passes when it reads below both limits.

* Below **30 000 cells/mL**
* Below **100 000 total/mL**
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

## If the test fails

See [Dilution liquid test fails](/troubleshooting/other-problems/dilution-liquid-test-fails.md).


---

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